Last week I went to the launch of a new album. I seldom cover music on this blog as it is usually about fashion. However, now that I blog less frequently, I feel that I need to use it for all the stylish things that I do in my life. My food. My exercise. My music. And of course, my fashion. So the reason why this album launch — from new band The Original Swimming Party — was so notable was three fold:
1. It took place at The Fugard Theatre. An amazing and unexpected space that was civilised and beautiful in equal measure. The location leant a lot to the genteel, soporific and lush sounds that we heard. This wasn't something that you could appreciate in a dodgy club, the sophistication in the sound, the production and the resultant output needed a much more suitable venue. Which was found at The Fugard. Well chosen.
2. The sound was gorgeous. Just wonderfully multi-dimensional and nuanced. There was so much depth to the sound that you could literally drown in it. Which is I think something of what is reflected in the name. It felt exactly like a watery party of sound. Also there was a lot about crying in the lyrics. And sounds of waves rolling over rocks at the shore. So, lots of water. And the best thing is — as I sit here listening to it as I write — you can download the EP for free from their website: http://originalswimmingparty.com/ and enjoy it yourself as you work, read, write or drift off to sleep. It is really clever music, but you don't have to be feeling at your smartest to enjoy it. Genius.
3. And rounding out the three worthwhile take-aways from this launch was the really, truly original bit: the integrated animations and visual effects. Oh my goodness, this was nothing like I had seen before, and it was totally charming. Visual effects can get lost in their own smartypants-ness. These didn't. They added to the performance, turned our heads, made us FEEL something. It was the perfect marriage of sound and sight. And if The Original Swimming Party continue to mesh these in their performances then we really have something special on the SA music scene. Something that is going to make every performance worth attending, every new move something to look out for. There were less than a hundred people at the launch, less than a hundred people who know that we witnessed something amazing and fresh and cool. So why don't you download the EP, listen to the music and look out for the next performance, it will be worth it.